Cigarette package

ABSTRACT

The cigarette package of the present invention provides a covered service area in which service articles may be stored. In the preferred embodiments described herein, the service article may be a stain removing element, a scent supply element, or a combination of both. Preferred embodiments of the present invention described herein relate to packages that may be constructed by cutting and folding a single sheet of stock.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cigarette packages and, in particular,it concerns a cigarette package with a covered service area.

For many years, the cigarette industry has packaged cigarettes in twostandard packages, known in the industry as soft packs and hard packs.These packages have remained substantially unchanged for decades. Ofmost interest to the present invention is the hard pack, also referredto as a flip-top box, which is a box, generally constructed from a blankcut from a single piece of card stock. While there have been attempts toprovide better methods for sealing the packages both before and afterinitial opening by the consumer, there have been no suggestions that thebox be modified so as to provide the consumer with any service beyondthat of cigarette storage.

It is also know that smoking cigarettes leaves tobacco stains on thefingers of many smokers. In response, several devices have beensuggested that protect the fingers from contact with the cigarette orother preventative measures.

Further, smokers often find that their fingers become odorous from thetobacco smoke, often making use of deodorizers or scent supplying agentsto cover the odors.

There is therefore a need for a cigarette package that incorporates acovered service area. It would be of benefit if the covered service areaincluded a stain removal element. It would be of further benefit if thecovered service area contained a scent supply element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cigarette package with a covered servicearea.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, acigarette package comprising: (a) a package body at least partiallyenclosing a cigarette storage volume; and (b) a covered service areaconfigured in the package body, the covered service area at leastpartially enclosed by an access lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the packagebody includes a package lid attached to the package body, such that thepack body and the package lid together define within them the cigarettestorage volume.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the coveredservice area is configured in the package lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the coveredservice area is configured as a flat area of the package lid covered bythe access lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the coveredservice area is configured as a recess in the package lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the access lidis hingedly attached to the package lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the packagebody, the package lid, and the access lid are integrally formed from asingle foldable blank.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the packagebody, the package lid, and the access lid are included in an integrallyformed molded package.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the packagebody and the access lid are integrally formed from a single foldablesheet.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the packagebody and the access lid are included in an integrally formed moldedpackage.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention, a blank for constructing a cigarette package, the blankcomprising a single sheet of foldable stock have an outer contour,pre-cut separation lines and foldable so as to form: (a) a box at leastpartially enclosing a cigarette storage volume; and (b) an access lidconfigured to cover a covered service area.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the boxincludes an integrally formed package lid such that the box and thepackage lid enclose the cigarette storage volume when the package lid isdeployed in a closed position.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the coveredservice area is configured as a flat area of the package lid covered bythe access lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the coveredservice area is configured as a recess in the package lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the access lidis hingedly attached to the package lid.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention, a cigarette package comprising: (a) a package body at leastpartially enclosing a cigarette storage volume; and (b) at least oneliquid impregnated cloth element associated with the package body.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at leastone liquid impregnated cloth element is at least partially covered by anaccess lid.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the access lidis hingedly attached to the package body.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at leastone liquid impregnated cloth element is affixed to the package.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the packagebody is formed from a single foldable sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first preferred embodiment of acigarette package constructed and operative according to the teachingsof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first preferred embodiment of a blank forconstruction of the cigarette package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a second preferred embodiment of a blank forconstruction of a cigarette package constructed and operative accordingto the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an alternative accessory packageconstructed and operative according to the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a blank for theconstruction of the accessory package of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a cigarette package with a covered servicearea.

The principles and operation of a cigarette package with a coveredservice area according to the present invention may be better understoodwith reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

By way of introduction, it is an intention of the present invention toprovide a cigarette package compatible with the current industrystandards. Therefore, the preferred embodiments of the present inventiondescribed herein relate to packages that may be constructed by cuttingand folding a single sheet of foldable card stock. That is, a packageused for the direct packaging of cigarettes. It will be readilyunderstood that the stock may be the card stock generally used in theart. However, substantially any foldable stock such as, but not limitedto, paper, cardboard, sheet metal, sheets of plastic, and other polymersany also be used in the construction of the package of the presentinvention. Alternatively, the package may be constructed as a moldedarticle, molded from plastics or other suitable polymers. That is, apackage used in conjunction with a factory package, either soft or hardpack, as mentioned above. In such a configuration, the molded package ofthe present invention would necessarily be large enough to accept afactory pack inserted into the interior volume. It will be understoodthat the construction of packages that are different dimensions from theindustry standards are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention.

The cigarette package of the present invention provides a coveredservice area in which service articles may be stored. In the preferredembodiments described herein, the service article may be a stainremoving element, a scent supply element, or a combination of both.Preferably the stain removing element, scent supply element, or acombination of both is configured as a towelette strip affixed withincovered service area. The term “towelette” is used herein to refer tosubstantially any liquid impregnated cloth material, such as but notlimited to natural and synthetic woven and non-woven materials. In suchan application, the covered service area is configured as a flat area ofthe package covered by an access lid or flap. In use, the user may rub,or scratch against the towelette strip with their fingers or hand, forexample. Alternatively, the user may scrub their fingers or hand withthe towelette. However, it should be noted that the covered service areamay be configured so as to accommodate storage of substantially anysuitable article such as, but not limited to, matches, removabletowelettes, and breath mints. In such an application, the coveredservice area may be configured as a secondary volume in the packagehaving an access lid or flap.

Further, the service articles may be provided in the package at the timeof manufacture, supplied with the package to be inserted into thecovered service area upon initial opening of the package, or supplied asa choice of different articles to be purchased separately.

The package of the present invention may be configured for one time use,as is the industry standard. In the case of a molded plastic package,for example, the package may be configured for continued use with anumber of factory packages in succession. In keeping with this, theservice article supplied may be configured for use during the durationof a single package of cigarettes, or numerous packages of cigarettes.Alternatively, a number of replaceable single-pack service articles maybe supplied with a package of the present invention configured for usewith a number of factory packages in succession.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferredembodiment of a cigarette package of the present invention, generallyreferred to as 2. Cigarettes are stored within the volume (not shown)generally defined by the body 4 of the package 2. The lid 6 of thepackage 2, which is hingedly connected to the body 4, provides access tothe cigarettes stored inside the package 2 and includes the coveredservice area 8. The covered service area 8 in this preferred embodimentis a flat area of the lid 6 covered by the access lid 10. As illustratedhere, the access lid 10 is hingedly connected to the package lid 6 in aregion along the front of the package 2 such that the access lid 10opens from the back of the package 2. The access lid 10 is locked in aclosed position by inserting the locking tab 12 into slot 14.

In the preferred embodiment or the present invention, the servicearticle 16 is a towelette that may be configured to remove stains,provide a scent, or a combination of both.

It should be noted that the covered service area 8, and thus the accesslid 12, may be configured in the lid 6, either of the sides 4 a of thepackage, the front 4 b of the package, the back 4 c of the package, orthe bottom 4 d of the package 2. Similarly, the access lid 10 may beconfigured to open from the back of the package 2 as illustrated, oralternatively the access lid 10 may be configured to open from the frontor either side of the package. Although the access lid 10 illustratedherein is hingedly connected to the package 2, this is not intended as alimitation and the access lid 10 may be configured for otherinterconnection with the package 2 so as to be, but not limited to,slideable and completely removable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a blank 20, accordingto the principles of the present invention, from which the package 2 ofFIG. 1 may be constructed from a single sheet of foldable stock. Oncethe outer contour of the blank 20 is cut as well, lines 22 a, 22 b, 24,26 a, 26 b, 28, 30 a, and 30 b, adhesive is deployed in areas 32 a, 32b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e and 32 f, and the blank is folded along theremaining designated fold lines, so as to form a box, in the shape of arectangular parallelepiped. Area 36 is the covered service area, whichin this configuration includes a towelette, as described above, affixedto the area of the package under the access lid 10. For ease ofconstruction, the towelette may be affixed to area 36 of the blank priorto folding.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a blank 40,according to the principles of the present invention, form which apackage (not shown) of a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention may be constructed from a single sheet of foldable stock. Thissecond blank is identical to the blank of FIG. 2, and thereforesimilarly numbered, with the exceptions of lines 42 and 44, which arecut so as to configure an access lid 10 that opens from the front of thepackage 2. This differs from the blank of FIG. 2 in that the access lid10 of FIG. 2 opens from the back of the package 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative accessory package 50 accordingto the present invention. Here, the body 52 of the accessory package 50is configured to partially encase a typical cigarette package (notshown), either soft or hard pack. The covered service area 54 andassociated access lid 56 of the accessory package 50 are configured onthe surface that becomes the bottom of the package. It will beappreciated that all of the variations of access lid placement andcovered service area configuration discussed above with regard to thefull packages of the present invention apply to the accessory package aswell.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of a blank 60, accordingto the principles of the present invention, from which the accessorypackage 50 of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be constructed from a single sheet offoldable stock. Once the outer contour of the blank 60 as well as lines62 a, 62 b, 64, and 66 are cut, adhesive is applied to areas 68 a, 68 b,and 68 c. Preferably a service article towelette is affixed in area 70,and adhesive patches are attached in areas 72 a and 72 b. Then the blankis folded along the remaining fold lines indicated so as to form a boxhaving the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The adhesive patchesare used for attaching the accessory package 50 to a typical cigarettepackage. The adhesive patches are preferably double sided tape on whichthe outer protective covering is left attached, however, any suitableadhesive material may be used for attaching the accessory package 50 toa cigarette package.

It should be noted that it is within the scope of the present inventionto provide an individual covered service area and attached access lidthat is directly attachable to an outer surface of a typical cigarettepackage by use of an adhesive strip for example. That is to say, acovered service area and access lid may be formed as a stand alongelement and configured according to any of the above mentionedvariations, such that the resulting element may be attached to acigarette package by a consumer after initial opening of the cigarettepackage.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only toserve as examples and that many other embodiments are possible withinthe spirit and the scope of the present invention.

1. A cigarette package comprising: (a) a package body at least partiallyenclosing a cigarette storage volume; and (b) a covered service areaconfigured in said package body, said covered service area at leastpartially enclosed by an access lid.
 2. The cigarette package of claim1, wherein said package body includes a package lid attached to saidpackage body, such that said pack body and said package lid togetherdefine within them said cigarette storage volume.
 3. The cigarettepackage of claim 2, wherein said covered service area is configured insaid package lid.
 4. The cigarette package of claim 3, wherein saidcovered service area is configured as a flat area of said package lidcovered by said access lid.
 5. The cigarette package of claim 3, whereinsaid covered service area is configured as a recess in said package lid.6. The cigarette package of claim 3, wherein said access lid is hingedlyattached to said package lid.
 7. The cigarette package of claim 2,wherein said package body, said package lid, and said access lid areintegrally formed from a single foldable blank.
 8. The cigarette packageof claim 2, wherein said package body, said package lid, and said accesslid are included in an integrally formed molded package.
 9. Thecigarette package of claim 1, wherein said package body and said accesslid are integrally formed from a single foldable sheet.
 10. Thecigarette package of claim 1, wherein said package body and said accesslid are included in an integrally formed molded package.
 11. A blank forconstructing a cigarette package, the blank comprising a single sheet offoldable stock have an outer contour, pre-cut separation lines andfoldable so as to form: (a) a box at least partially enclosing acigarette storage volume; and (b) an access lid configured to cover acovered service area.
 12. The blank of claim 11, wherein said boxincludes an integrally formed package lid such that said box and saidpackage lid enclose said cigarette storage volume when said package lidis deployed in a closed position.
 13. The blank of claim 11, whereinsaid covered service area is configured as a flat area of said packagelid covered by said access lid.
 14. The blank of claim 11, wherein saidcovered service area is configured as a recess in said package lid. 15.The blank of claim 11, wherein said access lid is hingedly attached tosaid package lid.
 16. A cigarette package comprising: (a) a package bodyat least partially enclosing a cigarette storage volume; and (b) atleast one liquid impregnated cloth element associated with said packagebody.
 17. The cigarette package of claim 16, wherein said at least oneliquid impregnated cloth element is at least partially covered by anaccess lid.
 18. The cigarette package of claim 17, wherein said accesslid is hingedly attached to said package body.
 19. The cigarette packageof claim 16, wherein said at least one liquid impregnated cloth elementis affixed to said package.
 20. The cigarette package of claim 1,wherein said package body is formed from a single foldable sheet.